2005 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 638 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 56 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 40 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionJun 30, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' AN IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE END FITTING WAS NOT FULLY SEATED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER NAIL HEAD DURING INSTALLATION.
THIS CAN PREVENT THE CABLE AUTO-SET FROM CORRECTLY ADJUSTING THE CABLE. AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED CABLE PREVENTS THE SHIFTER FROM LOCKING IN THE 'PARK' POSITION WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE KEY CYLINDER.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SHIFT LOCK WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED. DEALERS WILL REPAIR VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SUBJECT CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
638 reports, newest first.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 14, 2005
DECEPTIVE MILEAGE INFORMATION. VEHICLE ONLY GETS 13 TO 17 MILES PER GALLON. LESS THAN THAT CHEVY TAHOE THAT I TRADED IN TO SAVE GAS. THIS IS DECEPTIVE SALES TACTICS DURING A TIME WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING FOR VEHICLES WITH ACCEPTABLE GAS MILEAGE. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL, AT THE LEAST IT IS FALSE ADVERTISING. *NM
Power train, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2005
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY FAILS TO HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE WHEN STOPPED OR PARKED.*MR THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE AND MUST BE STOPPED FROM ROLLING FORWARD BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE OR STEEPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING RUBBER IN OR AROUND THE FRONT CONSOLE, THERE WAS EXTREME HEAT FROM THE ENGINE, ON THE FRONT HOOD AND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HEAT ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DASHBOARD AND THE REAR TAIL GATE AREA. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAT HE WAS FEELING WAS FROM NATURAL SOURCES. THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW AND DOOR SUPPORTS INTERFERED WITH THE CONSUMERS VISION. THE DOORS CONSTANTLY CREAK AND MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN OPENED. THE BACK HEAD RESTS IMPAIR THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY. *JB
Seat belts, Aug 16, 2005
WHEN UNBUCKLING THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT MY GRANDSON SOMEHOW GOT IT AROUND HIS WAIST. IT RETRACTED SO QUICKLY THAT WE COULD NOT FREE HIM FROM IT. AS WE WOULD PULL ON IT TO TRY TO GIVE HIM BREATHING ROOM, IT WOULD PULL TIGHTER. HE WAS BECOMING UNABLE TO SPEAK & BREATHE. SOMEONE CAME OUT WITH A KNIFE AND WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THE BELT. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAVE ME LINKS TO PROPER SEAT BELT USE & CHILD RESTRAINT. *NM
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2005
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT MAKES A RUMBLING AND LITERALLY MOVES UNDER THE HOOD AS IF IT WON'T START, BUT IT DOES. IT HAS AN AFFECT OF A STRAIGHT DRIVE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WHILE IT'S IN GEAR. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2005
THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COING ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER CODE THAT NEEDED UPDATING. THE LIGHT CAMET ON AGAIN, THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. LIGHT ON AGAIN (3RD TIME) TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERSHIP, APPARENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE IT WAS READING THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUNNING LOW. ONCE REPLACED, IT HAS NOT GONE ON AGAIN. IT TOOK 3 TIMES & 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 22, 2005
DT: CALLER SAID IN WET WEATHER THE BRAKES MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND THEN FAILED. IN DRY WEATHER WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND HITTING THE BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TODAY. *AK
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 13, 2005
PURCHASED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX ON MAY 26 2005 HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALER 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 47 DAYS 1ST THE SUNROOF STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING LIGHT CAME ON GOT THOSE "REPAIRED" DIDN'T GET OFF THE DEALERS LOT AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THEY CHANGED SENSOR BROUGHT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THEY FOUND A CHAFFED WIRE IN THE MAIN HARNESS YESTERDAY I HAD IT TOWED IN AFTER ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FELT LIKE WHEELS DIDN'T WANT TO TURN AND ON HILLS HAD NO POWER TO CLIMB I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF PA WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY
Vehicle speed control, Jul 8, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND HIT A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RACING AND WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH GMC. THEY HAVE DENIED ANY LIABILITY. *AK *BF *NM *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2005
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX THE MUFFLER SYSTEM IS VERY LOUD AND NEEDS REPLACED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN THE GARAGE MANAGER AGREES THAT IT IS TO LOUD.
Steering, Jun 22, 2005
DT:CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS CAUSED A BANGING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE WAS JARRED, AND LOOSE STEERING. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE EIGHT PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM THAT WERE ON WAITING LIST TO HAVE PROBLEM REPAIRED AT THIS DEALERSHIP. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2005
DT: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN. OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, AND WAS TRYING TO GET TO 65 MPH IN ORDER PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT 75 MPH OWNER HAD TO STOP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN UNDESIRED SPEED IN THE LEFT LANE. THE OWNER STILL HAD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. OWNER CALLED CHEVEROLET TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED. *AK
Structure, Jun 7, 2005
THE LIFTGATE SUPPORT ROD DETACHED WHILE IN THE UP POSITION ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FREELY ON MY HEAD AND NECK. IF I WAS IN ANOTHER POSITION OR IF I DIDN'T REACT QUICKLY I MIGHT HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IT SEEMS THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH OR ATTACHED PROPERLY. THE OTHER SUPPORT ROD DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO HOLD THE DOOR UP.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 3, 2005
WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED. FELT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD WITHIN BAD NEIGHBORHOODS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SWITCH THE FEATURE TO OFF.*AK *SB *NM
Seats, Jun 3, 2005
THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES, AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT HEAD REST BEING TILTED SO FAR FORWARD THAT THE SEAT HAD TO BE LEANED FAR BACK JUST TO BE COMFORTABLE. CAUSED PAIN IN THE NECK AND SHOULDERS. WORRIED THAT THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE NECK INJURY. CONTACT WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A HEAD REST FOR A SATURN VEHICLE AND INSTALLED IT INTO HIS 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. *AK *SB *NM
Electrical system, Visibility, Interior lighting, Jun 2, 2005
DT: WATER WAS LEAKING INTO CAB OF VEHICLE AND INTO TRUNK. WATER LEAK IWAS IN FRONT DOME LIGHT, AND IT LEAKED TWICE. THE MIDDLE DOME LIGHT LEAKED ONCE, AND THE TRUNK HAS HAD A BIG BUCKET OF WATER REMOVED FROM IT. DEALER TRIED TO FIX LEAK, BUT IT STILL LEAKS. CALLER WAS TOLD NOT TO PARK UNDER TREES. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD CALL DEALER, AND TOLD CALLER TO KEEP SUN ,ROOF CLOSED AND THAT THERE WAS DEBRIS IN SUN ROOF. CALLER STATED SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WATER IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AND THAT MORE DAMAGE CAN BE CAUSED.*AK
Structure, Jun 2, 2005
CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP HOLDER IS BLOCKING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *AK *SC *JB
Steering, Suspension, May 25, 2005
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.*MR THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH VARIABLE STEERING. IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S UNDERSTANDING THAT WITH VARIABLE STEERING, THE STEERING WAS LOOSER DURING CITY DRIVING AND WOULD BECOME TIGHTER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CONSUEMR FEELS THAT THE STEERING WAS TOO LOOSE, THAT THE VEHICLE WANDERED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. *NM
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, May 25, 2005
CONTACT STATES: BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2004. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS CHANGED. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS BROWN AND THE SMELL WAS SEVERE AND NAUSEOUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN THE SHOP 9 TIMES WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. THE ANTIFREEZE LINE WASN'T BLED RIGHT AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING IN THE GROUND. THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE DOME LIGHT AND SUNROOF, THE SUSPENSION AND ENGINE WOULD TICK, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WERE FRONT END PROBLEM, THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THERE IGNITION PROBLEM, NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, GAS MILEAGE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A TOXIC SMELL FROM THE ANTI-FREEZE, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED, THE BRAKES MADE NOISES, THE CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE DOME LIGHT HAD FILLED WITH WATER, THE LOWER DASH WAS DRIPPING WATER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING,THERE WAS POOR GAS MILEAGE DURING CITY DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISES WHEN MAKING TURNS ON THE FRONT STRUTS, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND, THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS BINDING, THERE WAS POPPING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FROM COLD, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. *SC *JB
Power train, May 15, 2005
ON LONG HIGHWAY TRIPS WITH STEEP INCLINES, OBDS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN STOPPING, AND TRYING TO REGAIN SPEED, CAR LOST POWER TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT EXTINQUISED, OBDS LIGHT REMAINED.WHEN CAR COOLED OFF, NO LIGHT REMAINED. FIRST TIME DID NOT BRING TO DEALER. SECOND TIME LEFT CAR RUNNING. DEALER SAID FIXED PROBLEM. PROBLEM REGISTERED ON COMPUTER AS P0741. DEALER DID NOT MENTION OF PREVIOUS COMPUTER REGISTRATION OF FIRST TIME INCIDENT. WITHIN 6 DAYS, STRANDED ON NEXT LONG DISTANCE TRIP WITH STEEP INCLINE,AND WAS TOWED TO NEXT DEALER. PROBLEM REGISTERS ON COMPUTER WITH CODE P 0741, COVERED BY BULLETIN 020730-013D. RECEIVED THREE DIFFERENT EXPLAINATIONS OF PROBLEM. VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. WITHIN ONE WEEK SAME PROBLEM, WHEN DRIVING SLOW SPEED ON COUNTRY ROADS WITH STEEP INCLINES, HOWEVER DID NOT SHOW ON COMPUTER AGAIN. TURNED CAR OFF LET IT COOL DOWN AND WORKED FINE.
Steering, Equipment, May 13, 2005, crash
I PURCHASED A CHEVY EQUINOX IN 2004, SINCE I GOT IT, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR 3 TIMES TO SERVICE FOR THE CD CHANGER, AND ONCE I TOOK IT TO CHECK THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT AND A REALLY STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHAT REALLY CONCERNS ME IS THAT ON MAY 2005 I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO MY STEERING WHEEL, GOT LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 60-65 MPH IN A HIGHWAY, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE OIL SERVICE LIGHT TOO, I TRIED TO AVOID IMPACTING ANY OTHER VEHICLE AROUND ME BUT I COULDN'T. THE TWO TIRES FROM THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE CAME OUT OF THE RIMS, THE TIRE FROM THE DRIVERS REAR SIDE CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF PLACE. THE STRANGE THING IS THAT THE IMPACT WAS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY THE HANDLES, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE WHOLE CAR WAS PUT IN A TWO STORY BUILDING AND HAD BEEN THROW DOWN FROM IT, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T SUPPORT THE COLLISION. THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THIS INCIDENT. THEY ESTIMATED THE DAMAGES IN ALMOST $8,000.00
Power train, May 11, 2005, crash
WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE LURCHED(JUMPED FORWARD) HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WHEN CAR WENT FORWARD. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE
Structure, May 6, 2005
DT: THE TAILGATE COLLAPSED DUE TO THE LEFT STRUT NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH LIFT. THE TAILGATE STAYED UP FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN CAME DOWN RAPIDLY ON MY HUSBAND'S HAND.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 5, 2005, crash
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER BEING HIT IN THE REAR WHILE STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES WHEN HE WAS PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH. *NM
Power train, Apr 28, 2005
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN TOWING MY POP-UP CAMPER TRAILER, THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANMISION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. UPON REACHING CRUISING SPEED, 60 OR 65 MPH, THE ENGINE REMAINS AT A HIGH RPM UNTIL I RELEASE THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL. THEN IT SHIFTS INTO FOURTH GEAR. I DO NOT TOW THE TRAILER IN FIFTH GEAR (OVERDRIVE). WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, A MECHANIC THAT HAS WORKED FOR THIS SAME CHEVROLET DEALER FOR MANY YEARS, DROVE THE CAR, TOWING THE TRAILER. WHEN IT DID NOT SHIFT, HE TOLD ME STRAIGHT OUT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WHEN I LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALER (DICK WICKSTROM CHEVROLET IN ROSELLE, ILLINOIS), THEY CLAIM TO HAVE CONTACTED THE FACTORY ENGINEERS AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I VERY MUCH DISAGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT. I HAVE TOWED TRAILERS BEHIND QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM TIRED OF HAVING DEALERS TELL ME THAT PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCE ARE "NORMAL AND THAT THEY ALL DO THAT".
Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2005, crash
SUSPECTED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON 2005 CHEVROLET EQUANOX.*MR WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHICH CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO A SIGN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM